A top Realtor in the Savannah area. Jeri Patrick has a team with an established history of success of selling homes in and around the Savannah Area. Jeri specializes in the home buying and selling process and is available to answer any of your real estate questions, provide information and handle any obstacles that may arise.
Jeri Patrick began her Real Estate careers in 2002. Jeri’s strong ambition to be a success created a driving force in today’s real estate market.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

A design center is fun and exciting — there you’ll choose items to personalize your new home. David Weekley Design Center, Austin, Texas. Courtesy of David Weekley Homes.
By Judy L. Marchman
The main thrill in building a new home is the opportunity to make it totally yours. You get to pick the colors, finishes and fixtures, so it’s not hard to get starry-eyed after touring a model home and envisioning all of the possibilities.
But, once you find out how much all of those possibilities can cost, you’re faced with having to make some tough decisions about which design center upgrades to include. Don’t sweat it! The process doesn’t have to be too daunting, especially if you have a great builder design consultant to work with.
If you’re on the path to building your own home or recently trekked through a model home and are wondering about all the what-ifs, Dawn Allee, senior design consultant at the David Weekley Homes Design Center in Austin, Texas, offers these strategies for helping you get the home of your dreams, while making the most of any budget:
Know what’s important to you in a home.
Choosing design options and upgrades comes down to the priorities you’ve set for your soon-to-be home and how your family will live in it. What are the areas that are most important? “We want home buyers to be comfortable with their decisions, to make sure they are spending their money in the right places for them,” Allee says.
Interested in knowing what are some of the most popular features other home buyers want? Check out our Resource Center article, What Home Buyers Want in a New Home, to see what upgrades other home buyers can’t live without and how those compare with your wish list.
Know how you can afford to spend.
Can you live with standard lighting fixtures and carpet in exchange for getting the master bath of your dreams? Or, can you give up granite in the kitchen if that means you can afford hardwood floors throughout your home?
A design consultant can help you weigh the pros and cons of various upgrades, allowing you to stay on track by making adjustments as you go. “Consider if you were to cut something out, where would it be,” Allee says. “Or, conversely, if you could spend more in an area, where would that be?”
Structural always comes first.
Structural changes, such as covered patios, tray ceilings or pre-wired sound systems, should be considered up front because they could cost more to add after the house is built.
“Think about how easy something would be to add or change later and factor that into your choices,” Allee says. “Also, by including structural items up front, you are ensuring they are installed properly and are covered by the homeowner’s warranty.”
People love their kitchens, master baths and floors.
These three categories can eat up a big part of your budget if you’re not careful. But these areas often contain most of the “fun stuff” to pick for your home, making your choices that much harder.
“Everyone makes decisions differently or goes in a different order, but the path we generally follow with our buyers is to hit the big categories in their first design appointment — the kitchen, master bath, flooring,” Allee says. “You can spend money fast in those areas. People can walk out of the appointment a little shell-shocked, but it gives them time to think about their choices.”
Come prepared with photos of your design preferences.
Or put together a Pinterest board with images of colors, materials and fixtures that you like. Allee says this can help your designer understand your preferences: “If you show your designer the look you would like to achieve, your designer can help you get the home of your dreams.” And, most important, without breaking the bank.
Judy Marchman is a freelance writer and editor, with 20 years of magazine and book publishing experience. She writes about a variety of home-related topics for NewHomeSource.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Last week, we discussed the reasons you should sell first, then buy a new home. That is optimal for most people. But there are situations in which buying a new home first, then selling your current home is the right thing to do.

If you have the cash on hand for a down payment and have the means to pay for two mortgages while selling your existing property, buying first offers several advantages.

No pressure to find your dream home

If you're under a deadline to move out of your existing home because the new owners are moving in, you're likely to compromise on what you're looking for in a new home. Buying first offers you the opportunity to look for a new home without any pressure to purchase. You're more likely to hold out for your dream home, rather than settling for one without some of the features you desire.

Wasting money on rental

Finding the right place to rent is almost as difficult as finding a new home. Property managers won't usually sign a month-to-month lease, and they don't like signing a short-term lease. And if they do, they charge more for the same property. So if you sign a six-month lease and find a new home immediately, you'll still be on the hook for whatever is required to break the lease.

You'll only have to move once

Let's face it... moving is a hassle. If you sell your home, and aren't able to find a new home, you either have to move into a rental or move your entire home into storage while you live with friends or relatives. In essence, you're moving twice - once when you move everything to the storage facility, and again when you find a new home.

Knowing the market is essential. Take a hard look at your budget and be realistic about your financial situation. Talk to your mortgage lender to make sure that you can qualify for a second mortgage on a new home. As always, talk to your REALTOR® to take the temperature of the housing market in your area.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Whether you're moving to a new, bigger home, or downsizing when you become empty nesters, the timeline of buying and selling homes rarely coincides perfectly. So the question is, "Should we sell first or buy first?"

Selling your home before getting serious about buying a new one has some distinct advantages, no matter what the market is doing.

Time is on your side

By selling first, you give yourself the ability to negotiate on both sides of the equation. You can always ask the buyer for a later move-out date so you can have a little extra time to find a new home.

You can be sure how much cash you'll have on hand

With your first home sold, you have the added advantage of using equity to make a larger down payment and can play hard ball when it comes time to make an offer on home #2.

You're more likely to get your target price

If you buy first, you may be forced to take an offer that is much lower than what is fair. Agents know that if you've bought another home, they have an advantage during the negotiation. You'll want to avoid having two mortgage payments. They also know that most people's income will not qualify for a second mortgage with most lenders. They will use that to their advantage.

Most agents will not allow a contingency clause

If you make selling your home contingent upon finding a new one, you are in essence under no obligation to sell. That leaves them with a huge question about their future. Smart agents will not allow this to happen.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, if you’re not hiring a professional mover, renting a moving truck can save you time and energy. Done properly, it can also save you money in replacement costs in the event of damage to furniture and appliances.

After making sure that everything is packed properly, loading the truck correctly is perhaps the most important step to take that will ensure your belongings arrive safely. If you’re using friends and family to move, make sure to let them know what your strategy is for loading the truck.

Here’s what they all need to know about loading a moving truck so the ride is smooth and everything arrives at your new home safely.

Make sure the path from the door to the truck remains free of obstacles such as boxes

Use the ramp into the trailer on every trip

One or two people should be designated to be in the truck to load everything in tightly, while the others carry everything in

Load the front of the truck to the top and work your way toward the back

Stack items from floor to ceiling

Heavy items go on the bottom and lighter items on the top

Packing items tightly will help avoid shifting in transit, so try to avoid any open space

Use rolled-up rugs, bags of linens, pillows, etc., to fill void areas

Strap tiers in as you go - it’s safer to use more ties and straps than you think you’ll need

Cover appliances and furniture with pads and blankets

Load the largest, heaviest furniture and appliances first and put them against the walls to help distribute the weight evenly throughout the truck

Remove legs and feet from furniture

Sofa and loveseat should be placed on their end if possible

Between mattresses is a great place to store wrapped pictures and mirrors, headboards and footboards (but only one per space)

Make sure items that can cause damage are not loaded against fabric or wood furniture

Tables with thin legs should not have anything stacked on top of them

Load fragile items or awkward-shaped items on top and secure tightly

Place light-weight loose items on top

Any light machinery such as lawn mowers, tillers and weed eaters should be drained

of gas and oil, then covered with a tarp away from mattresses and furniture covered

in fabric

Keep gas operated items such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, etc., on the truck floor, covered with tarp or plastic sheeting and away from fabric items

Want a great buy on Southside? Welcome to 64 Quail Forest Dr. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1444 square feet. Great starter home or investment property. Freshly painted and ready for move in. Convenient to schools and shopping. Has covered front porch and landscaping around front. Great wood burning fireplace makes a nice focal point in living area with high ceiling. Kitchen has breakfast area, plenty of cabinet space, large pantry with natural light. Has dishwasher, refrigerator, range, and oven. Dining area is open to living and has large window to let in the sunlight. Master bedroom is spacio...us with master bath, walk-in closet, exit to back yard. Home has attic and laundry area. Relax on the back patio and enjoy spending time outdoors with mature trees and privacy fence. This property is offered by Jeri Patrick with Weichert Realtors - The Sumner Group. Visit my website for more information on the Savannah, GA real estate market including new construction ~ www.JeriPatrickRealtor.com or email Jeri.Realtor@gmail.com. 912-656-3203 Show more

Saturday, September 7, 2013

217 Sebring Drive
Bloomingdale, GA 31302
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2 full
List Price: $Get Current Price
Living Area Approx: 1650
Have questions? Ask me.
Welcome to 217 Sebring Dr. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1650 square feet.
The perfect breather from a busy lifestyle, you'll immediately sense the feeling of space and the balance of comfortable, casual living both inside and out. New HVAC and roof. All brick split plan with extra-large bedrooms centering around family living. Beautifully landscaped yard and covered front porch welcome you home. Large living area has wood burning fireplace and an open concept floor plan. Eat-in kitchen has stainless appliances, breakfast bar, pantry, great cabinet space, great layout with view of the backyard a...nd living area. Dining room is a nice size, casual and open with bright natural light. Master bedroom has double doors, spacious room with attached bath. Master bath has separate vanity area. Additional bedrooms are large with large closets. Has attic and nice size laundry room with counter space. The covered back porch with ceiling fan allows the comforts of the living room to expand into the outdoors. Relax with friends and family or entertain guests on the large extended deck, or around the firepit. Home has private fenced back yard, storage building, 2 car garage. This property is offered by Jeri Patrick with Weichert Realtors - The Sumner Group. Visit my website for more information on the Savannah, GA real estate market including new construction ~ www.JeriPatrickRealtor.com or email Jeri.Realtor@gmail.com. 912-656-3203 Show more
See Property Details
Call 912-656-3203 for more information
on this or any other property.

Although interest rates have risen over the last six months, they are still relatively low. In many markets, home sales have begun to accelerate, which could make this a good time to invest in real estate.

Like many, you may want to buy a second home - for vacation, retirement, or as a rental - but find yourself without cash on hand to make a proper down payment.

Many opt to use equity from their home in order to buy another. Equity is simply the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and your home's value on the market. If you owe $75,000 on your home but it's worth $155,000, your equity is $80,000.

As with any financial move, there are risks, but there are some advantages to using equity to purchase another home.

The pros

Banks can offer more favorable termsCosts of loans (title search, etc) are typically lowerIf you have enough equity in your first home to pay cash for a second home, you'll always have a free place to live

The cons

You'll be increasing your monthly mortgage paymentIncreased risk of foreclosure in the event of job loss, etcYou're increasing the amount you have in one type of investmentMortgage interest paid on an equity line or loan on your home might not be tax deductibleYour home would be subject to foreclosure if anything went wrong with the deal

There are some options when it comes to using the equity in your existing home to purchase another. Talk to your mortgage lender and your tax attorney to discuss the best option for you.